Ron Marz's Blog

Tag: Heavy Metal

Releasing today is Monster Massacre Vol. 1 from Titan Comics, an oversize hardcover collection featuring the story “Pair of Rogues” story by me, artist Tom Raney and colorist Gina Going. “Pair of Rogues” is set in a fantasy world, and introduces a pair of … well, rogues for a series of adventures. The shorthand description of the story might be “Moonlighting” meets “The Lord of the Rings,” or maybe Fritz Leiber’s “Fafhrd and Gray Mouser” stories with sexual tension. The story originally appeared in an issue of Heavy Metal.

The plan for “Pair of Rogues” is to tell the tale in a series of short stories that will eventually broaden into a larger narrative of epic proportions. There’s a large backstory at play for both of these characters, secrets that will determine the course of not only the rogues, but of great empires. These short stories are the seeds from which we intend to grow a sweeping fantasy tale.

Right now Tom and I are working on the second short story, which will hint at the true origins of the characters. Hopefully the reception allows us to continue the series, and eventually tell the complete tale.

Big week this week! I have three books appearing in comic stores and digitally this week, and another on the horizon. First up, Shinku #5, from Image, finally makes its appearance after a long delay; you can read about the reasons in my CBR column, Shelf Life, this week. Issue #5 brings the concluding chapter to the first arc of the series, “Throne of Blood” (a nod to Kurosawa, of course), with Shinku breaching a vampire shrine. Hopefully you’ll think the issue is worth the wait. I love how it turned out, and how it sets up the ensuing arc, “The Hidden Fortress.”

Next is Prophecy #4, from Dynamite, continuing the time-spanning crossover bringing together a diversity of characters including Red Sonja, Vampirella, Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. Issue #4 introduces a new character into the mix, someone that should come as a complete surprise … unless you peeked at the preview pages seen here:

Newsarama’s Best Shots has already reviewed the issue, giving it a 10 out of 10, and saying,

“Prophecy is helmed by a great creative team at the height of their craft, playing with ancient legend, pulp favorites, and cult classics to make a story that’s not to be missed. Don’t let the licensed characters fool you into passing on one of the best comics out there right now.”

Next, my buddy Tom Raney and I have a story in Heavy Metal #259, a fact that would make 14-year-old me’s head explode. The story is called “Pair of Rogues,” and introduces a pair of a creator-owned characters in a fantasy world that Tom and I hope to return to often. Our plan is to create a series of short stories, published in various outlets, growing into an epic tale that can stand on its own.

Lastly, keep an eye out for Blackburn Burrow #2 from Amazon Studios, by me, Matthew Dow Smith and Jordie Bellaire, which will go live very soon. As with issue #1, Blackburn Burrow #2 will be offered by Amazon for free in a variety of digital formats. The story deepens, literally, as the enigmatic Mister and his new companion Merrin delve deep into the mine, uncovering a shocking buried secret.